Steam-condensing apparatus.



D. B. MORISUN.

STEAM OONDENSING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION rum) 00120, 1911.

1,083,374. Patented Jan. 6,19%

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

cOLuMnIA VLAHooIAPn 120.. WAININOION. 04 c. L,

asagna.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DONALD BARNS MORISON, OF HARTLEPOOL, ENGLAND.

STEAM-CONDENSING APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DONALD BARNS Momsox, a subject of the Kin of GreatBritain and Ireland, residing at artlepool, in the :ounty of DurhamEngland, have invented Improvements in i team-Condensing Apparatus, ofwhich the following is a specification.

In a steam condensing plant for use on ships, stoppage or derangement ofthe air pump used in such plant, or variation in the air withdrawingefficiency, or in the air withdrawing capacity, of such air pump, is ormight be attended with very serious consequences, therefore it isimportant to provide, as far as is practically possible, against any ofthese contingencies taking place and in3uriously affecting the properworking of the condenser. For this purpose there is described in thespecification of my application for Letters Patent No. 545,538 of 1910,a construction of steam condensing plant comprising a surface condenserfrom which the mixture of air and vapor is normally withdrawn by areciprocating ump capable of withdrawing air, vapor an water and fromwhich condenser the water of condensation is normally withdrawn byanother reciprocating pump also ca able of withdrawing air, vapor andwater, t e pump which normally withdraws air and vapor being cooled byuniform admission thereto of a regulated amount of water of condensationcooled in a water cooler below the temperature of the water ofcondensation in the. condenser, the arrangement and disposition of thepumps and of the pipes and connections leading thereto, being such thaton derangement or smppafe of either pump, the other pump can inependently withdraw and independently discharge air and vapor togetherwith water of condensation without causing any substantial alteration*in the direction of flow of vapor over the condensing surface, orwithout causing any such flooding of condensing tubes, or of the airpump connections, as would substantially reduce the condensing surface,or substantially impair the normal How of air and vapor to thewithdrawing pump. in an arrangement of this kind. the water withdrawnand discharged from the condenser by the reciprocating air pump thatnormally acts as the water pump, becomes more or less aerated in itspassage through the pump which is objectionable because the water isSpecification of Letters Patent.

Application fllcd October 20, 1911.

Patented J an. 6, 1914.

Serial No. 655,665.

to used as boiler feed water and the air 1s liable to pass with thewater into the b01161: Furt ermore, such a water pump is also liable tobe subjected to shocks resultmg from sudden variations in the supply ofwater of condensation thereto from the condenser. Now the presentinvention has for obect to enable the water of condensation to bewithdrawn from the condenser and discharged at any desired rate in acondition of minimum aeration by a pump that Will not be subject toshock resulting from sudden variation in the supply of water ofcondensation thereto, theair and uncondensable gases being withdrawnfrom the condenser by one or more air pumps capable of being worked atthe highest designed speed and of maintaining its or their airwithdrawing capacity at a maximum. For this purpose, a water pump of therotary or centrifugal type is used constructed to work in one or morestages, while the air pump, or each air pump, is, as before, of thereclproeating type adapted to normally withdraw air, but capable, underspecial exigencies, of withdrawing air and water, the pumps being soconnected together and to the condenser that the air pump, or each ofthe air pumps can, in the event of break down of the rotary water pump,or of the supply of an abnormal amount of water of condensation from thecondenser, act to withdraw water in addition to air, without floodingthe condenser or causing an undue or prejudicial amount of water ofcondensation to be accumulated either in the condenser or in the pi msor passages connected therewith.

In t e accompanying drawings, Figures 1 to 5 inclusive showdiagrammatically in elevation and Figs. 1 and 2 also partly in section,several arrangements of steam condensing plant according to theinvention.

n Fig. 1, a is a surface condenser from which air and vapor arewithdrawn by two air pumps 1) and (r of the reciprocating type and fromwhich condenser the water of condensation is withdrawn by a centrifugalpump (Z. The air pumps b, c are driven from the piston rods 6 of twosteam cylinders f, the rods being connected together by a beam 9 in thewell known manner so that in the event of derangement the pumps can bedriven from either of the cylinders. The air suction pipes 77 and j ofthe two air pumps 11, c are in communication through a. horizontal airpipe and a vertical air and end of the pipe m at a point below that towhich the lpe k is connected thereto so that normally the water ofcondensation does not flow through the air pipe I; to the air pumps 6and a but flows direct'to the pump (2 and is discharged thereby througha pipe 1. The air pumps Z) and c are cooled by' water she: lied in auniform manner and in regulaflfil amounts er stroke, such water beingre'diiced inheim i l tltl llti .by continuous circnlatibn through awater charged water cooler it, forme' in the base of the condenser a,and supplied to the two pumps tirougb a pipe" 0 controlled by valves 0and 0. Surplus water, formed by the condensation of the vapor within thepumps 7) and c, can be di'scha'r 'ed into a feed tank, or otherwisedisposed oi as desired. 7) is a valve in' a P Ipebonnecting the suctionends of the two air pumps. By the arrangement described, the water ofcondensation is withdrawn direct from the condenser a through the pipe mby the )unip d and is therefore discharged in a condition of minimumaeration; and thesaid' pump d, being of the centrifugal type, can be]run at a high speed and it willin 'ot be subjected to shocks resultingfrom sudden variations in the supply of water thereto such as are liableto occur with a reciprocating water discharging pa m oreover, the airpumps 7), 0 being so ,p led with a uniform and regulated arng iuntcooled water per stroke, the load is i i nifiorm and they are thereforeable to be worked at the highest designed speed consistent with maximumeflicrency, whereby the air withdrawing capacity is maintained at a,maximum, while the factor of safety of the pump mechanism is, underworking conditions, greater than would be the case if he water ofcondensation were normally wirdrwn invariable quantities by one or boti9 the air pumps and the pumpsare much ess liable to break down. F nrthermore, it will be seen, that the outlet pipes at and 7.: are soarranged that should the centrifugal water pump d become deranged or stoped', the water will rise in the pipe m an overflow through the air pies lo and i into the air pump 1) which will t en operate as a water pumpand discharge the water oi condensation from the condenser, the air pumpa working continuously as a cooled air pump and withdrawing the mixtureof air and vapor. Or, should the amount of water to be withdrawn fromthe condenser be abnormal sothat it overflows into the pump 7), thevalve 72 can be opened whereby the pump 0 will also be available forwitlulrawing water together with air and vapor. it", however, the pump 6becomes deranged in addition to the centrifugal pum (I, then water willrise in the suction pipe 13 and overflow through the pipe j into thepump 0 which will then alone act to withdraw air and'tvater. 'l'n thisarrangement the air and uncondensable gases from the pumps 6 and 0 aredischarged upwardly through the pipes b and consequently the coolingwater will flow by preference through the small pipes b, c from thedelivery chambers b, 0 at the upper ends of the pumps 11 and 0respectively back to the cooler n. T he surplus watel resulting from thecondensation of vapor the barrels of the pumps is discharged with theair and vapor.

In Fig. 2 the water of condensation is withdrawn from a receptacle m atthe bottom of the condenser a by a two stage centrifugal pump (l d, thedelivery from the first stage (I of the said pump (1 (l discharging intoa pipe or receiver 1' which, in known manner, is in directcomn'iunication with the condenser, the outlet from the pipe or receiver1' delivering into the suction of the second stage (I of the pump whichdischarges through the outlet pipe Z. The pipe ori'eceiver (1-) isrovided for the purpose of liberating any air that may be mixed with thewater flowing through the first stage (al of the pump, and provides apassage for the flow of air back into the condenser so that it shall notaccumulate in the casing and interfere with the proper working of themulti-stage pump. This arrangement by placing the delivery passage ofthe first stage pump under practically the same pressure as that at theinlet to the pump enables the water pump (1 d to be placed at only asmall depth )elow the condenser a wh ch is advantageous on shipboardwhere the depth available below the condenser is usually limited. Airand vapor are withdrawn from the condenser through the pipes- Z, i andby the two air pumps I), c which are shown as driven from a singleengine cylinder through a beam 9 and are cooled by water of condensationpassing in continuous circulation through the pumps and a sepa ratewater cooler'n. The surplus water from the )umps Z1 and 0 produced bycondensation ofi t 10 vafpor entering these pum )s, can be removed mmthe discharge cham ers Z), c by an auxiliary pump a: which delivers itthrough a pipe 3 into an elevated tank It in which the water may beheated by steam. By such an arrangement the head of water on thedischarge valves of the pumps 1) and a is reduced and consequently thereis a reduction in the quantity of power necessary to drive such pum sand a free escape for the air discharged mm the uinp barrels. Should thepump (1 d whicli normally withdraws the water of condensation from thecondenser become deranged, water will overflow into the .pipe k and fallthrough the pipe 0 into the pump 1) which will then withdraw the Waterof condensation from the condenser, such water being, if desired,-

.and the pump so used for the purpose of delivering the surplus waterfrom the discharge chamber 0 into the discharge chamher 7) instead ofinto the tank h.

Fig. '3 shows an arrangement in which the depth' available below thecondenser a is such as to enable a suitable head of water to be providedon the suction side of a single stage centrifugal pump (1 and the airpumps 7) and c are connected direct to the air and vapor outlet of thecondenser and placed on or above a water cooler n through which and thevalves 0, 0 a regulated portion of the water discharged by the pump (1is passed into the pumps 6, a. In this arrangement during normal workinthe cooling water, togetier with water 0 condensation due tocondensation of va or in the pumps 7), 0', flows away from the ischargechamber 0 which is common to the two pumps, by way of the branch a whichis trapped, air

an uncondensable gases flowing through the pipe I).

In ig. 4, the water cooler n is placed at one slde of the air umps b, c,and is adapted to be cut out oi operation, in case of derangement, by athree-way cook it which, when the water cooler is not in use, allows aortion of the water discharged by the centrifugal pump (1 through pipe Zto flow direct to the pumps b and 0 for sealing purposes. In this case,the surplus water from the pumps 1) and 0 produced by condensation of vaor in the said umps, or this water toget ier with the coo ing wateradmitted from the pipe 1 when the cooler n, is cut out, is dischargedtogether with the air and uncondensable gases through the pipes b.

Each of the modified arrangements shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 is capableof working in the manner described with reference to In Fig. 5, air andvapor are withdrawn from the condenser a. by a sin le air pump Z) whichis supplied with a regu ated amount of cooled water of condensationwhich passes in continuous circulation through the pump and the tubularwater cooler n, the water of condensation bein separately withdrawn fromthe condenser fiy a multi-stage rotary pump (Z, d having an air pipe 1'connected to the condenser. The air, vapor and water outlet pipe m isconnected to the water pump (I (l and also, at a higher point, throughthe air suction )ipe k to the air pump 1) so that should t 0 pump (1 (lbecome deranged, the water will rise in the pipe m and overflow by wayof the pipe is into the air-pum b which will then withdraw the water 0 fcondensation from the condenser in addition to the mixture of air andvapor. In this case, during normal working, surplus water is dischargedwith the air and uncondensable gases through the outlet b.

Adaptability and safety are embodied in the combined apparatus accordingto the present invention to an extent not hitherto provided, and theutility of such a combination of apparatus on a warship, or on a turbinepassenger steamer, is very great in view of the fact that any fall invacuum has a highly rejudiciul efi'ect on the steam economy, w ile thestoppage of the air pump might result, were there no alternatives, inthe stoppage of the ship.

In each case, the rotary water pump d, or l1 (1 may be connected to thewater outlet of the condenser through a valve :1, as in Figs. 2 and 5,so that upon breakdown of the said pump it can be disconnected forrepair. When the pump is also connected to the condenser by an air pipe1', as in Figs. 2 and 5, such pipe may be provided with a valve to.

It is to be understood that any suitable type of reciprocating air pump,or rotary water pump, may be employed, that more than one water pump canbe used, and that suitable valves may be interposed in the pipes orconnections where found necessary or desirable for the proper working ofthe apparatus.

What I claim is 1. A steam condensing plant comprising a surfacecondenser, a multiple stage water pump of rotary type arranged towithdraw water of condensation from said condenser and having itsinterior, between its stages, connected to the interior of saidcondenser, an air pump capable of withdrawing uir. vapor and water fromsaid condenser but arranged normally to withdraw air and vapor only,said water and air pumps bein in communication with each other on theirsuction sides, a water cooler wherein water of condensation is cooled toa temperature below the temperature of the water of condensation in thecondenser and means whereby a regulated amount of water can be admittedfrom said water cooler to the suction end of said secondly mentionedpump.

2. A steam condensing plant comprising a surface condenser, a water pumpof rotary type arranged to withdraw water of coin densation from saidcondenser, a plurality of air pumps each capable of witlulrawing air,vapor and water from said condenser and all of them being arrangednormally to withdraw air and vapor only from said condenser, the suctionpipes of said water and air pumps being each in communication with withthe densing space, oi the condenser, a water.

cooler wherein water of condensation is cooled to. a temperature belowthe temperature 0t the'water of condensation in the conden r, and meanswhereb a regulated amount of water can be admitted from said cooler tothe suction end of each oi; said air pumps.

3. A steam condensing plant comprising a surface, condenser, a waterpump. of rotary type arranged to withdraw water ofcondensation fromsaid. condenser, a plurality of air pumps each capable ofi withdrawingair, vapor and water from said condenser andall of them beingarrangednormally to withdraw air and vapor onl 7- from, said condenser, thesuction pipes of said water and air pumps being each in communicationwith the lower end portion of the condenser and with each other at apoint below the condensing space of the condenser, valve controlledmeans connectin r said air pumps to ether at their'suction en s, a watercooler w erein water of condensation is cooled to a temperature belowthe temperature of the water of condensation in the condenser, and meanswhereby a regulated amount of water can be admit-ted from said cooler tothe suction end of each ofsaid air pumps.

l. A steam condensing plant comprising a surface condenser, a water pumpof rotary type arraned to withdraw water of condensation rom saidcondenser, a plurality of air pumps each capable of withdrawing air.vapor and water from said condenser and all of them being arrangednormally to withdraw air and vapor only from said condenser, the suctionpipes of said water and air pumps being each in communication ower endportion of the condenser and with each other at a point below thecondensing space oi the condenser, a water cooler wherein water ofcondensation is cooled to a temperature below the temperature of thewater of condensation in the condenser, and means for separatelycontrolling the supply of water from said water cooler to the suctionend of each of said air pumps.

5. A steam condensing plant comprising a steam condenser, a water pumpof rotary type arranged to withdraw water of condensation from saidcondenser, air pumps each adapted to withdraw air, vapor and water fromsaid condenser but arranged normally to withdraw air and vapor only,said water and air pumps having their suction inlets in freecommunication with each other at a level below the steam condensingspace of said condenser and means for supplyiu a re mlated amount ofcooled water of C(Hflfihaction to the suction end of each air pump.

(l. A steam condensing plant comprising a massacre steam condenser, awater pump of rotary tv-pe arranged to withdraw water of condensationrom said condenser, air pumps each adapted to withdraw air, vapor andWater and having their suction conduits arranged in free communicationwith the air and vapor space in said condenser and also with each otherand with the suction conduit of the water pump independently of thesteam condensing space of the condenser, th suction conduits of saidpumps being arranged so that water from the condenser can pass into thesuction conduit. ofthe water pump but not into the suction'conduits ofthe air pumps but can overflow from the suction conduit of the waterpump and pass into the suction conduits of the air pumps, a conduit withvalve connecting the suction ends of said air pumps and means foradmitting a regulated quantity of cooled water separately to each airpump.

7. A steam condensing plant comprising a. steam condenser, a water um ofrotary type having its suction in ct connected to the lower end of saidcondenser, reciprocating air pumps each adapted to withdraw air, vaporand water and having their suction inlets in communication with eachother and also with the suction inlet of said water pump at a pointbelow the steam condensing space of said condenser, sa-idair pumpshaving se arate delivery chambers, a water cooler aviug its inletconnected to the delivery chambers ofsaid air pumps and its outletconnected to the suction of each air pump and means for controlling thesupply of cooled water from said water cooler to each air pump.

8. A steam condensing plant comprising a steam condenser, a water pumpof rotary type having its suction inlet connected to the lower end ofsaid condenser, reciprocating air pumps each adapted to withdraw air.vapor and water and having their suction inlets in conununication witheach other and also with the suction inlet of said water pump at a pointbelow the steam condensing space of said condenser, said air pumps havinseparate delivery chambers, a conduit with valve connecting the suctionends of'said air pumps. a water cooler connected to the suction anddelivery ends of said air pumps so as to be iii circuit therewith, meansfor controlling the flow of water to the suction end of each air pumpand means for removing surplus water from the circuit.

9. A steam condensing plant comprising a steam condenser. a two stagewater pump of rotary type having its suction conduit connected to thelower part of said condenser and its interior, between the stages, withthe interior of said condenser, two reci rocating air pumps each adaptedto with raw air. vapor and water. a suction pipe in commuuication withthe suction inlets of both air pumps and with the suction conduit ofsaid water pum below the steam condensing space of said condenser, awater cooler in circuit with each air pump and means for separatelycontrolling the supply of cooled water from said water cooler to saidair pumps.

10. A steam condensingeplant comprising a surface condenser, a we r pumpof rotary type arranged to withdraw water of condensation from saidcondenser, an air pump capable of withdrawing air, vapor and water fromsaid condenser but arranged normally to withdraw air and vapor only saidwater and air pumps being in commumcation with each other on theirsuction sides a water cooler connected to the suction and delivery ofsaid air pump and wherein water of condensation is cooled to atemperature below the temperature of the water of condensation in thecondenser and means whereby a regulated amount of water can be admittedfrom said Water cooler to the suction end of said air pump.

11. In a steam condensing plant the combination of a condenser, an airpump adapt ed to withdraw air, vapor and water from the said condenser,a steam engine for driving said pump and a water pump also driven by thesaid engine and arranged to withdraw and deliver water from the deliverychamber of said air ump.

12. In a steam con ensing plant, the combination of a condenser, a pairof air pumps each adapted to withdraw air, vapor and water from the saidcondenser, a steam engine for driving said pumps and a water pump drivenby the said engine and connected to the delivery chambers of said airumps.

13. In a steam condensing plant, the combination of a condenser, two airpum s each adapted to withdraw air, vapor an water from the saidcondenser, a steam engine arranged to drive one of said air pumpsdirectly, a beam whereby the other air pump is driven indirectly fromsaid engine and a water pump also driven from said engine and connectedto the delivery chambers of said air pumps.

14. In a steam condensing plant, the combination of a condenser, two airpumps each adapted to withdraw air, vapor and water from the saidcondenser, a steam engine directly connected to one of said air pumps, abeam worked from said engine and arranged to drive the other air pum anda water pump also driven from sai beam and arranged to withdraw anddeliver water from the delivery chamber of one of said air pumps.

Signed at West Hartlepool this 10th day of October 1911.

DONALD BARNS MORISON.

JOHN Cooxn.

ceplol 0! this patent may be obtained (or five cents each, by addressingthe commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. 0."

